A silent CPU cooler is a dream for any PC owner. Let’s reveal a secret – achieving silence is only possible with a water cooling system. By the way, very soon the TeraNews portal will receive this device for testing. But for now, let’s get acquainted with the new Be quiet! Shadow Rock 3. The cooler indeed operates quite quietly. And the cooling performance is impressive.
For the first time, the active cooling system appeared at CES 2020. The manufacturer’s official website did not list the new product. It seemed like another innovation that wouldn’t go into mass production. But after a couple of weeks, the Germans provided full information about the cooler and announced the sales date.
Be quiet! Shadow Rock 3: PC Cooler
| Physical dimensions | 96x130x163 mm |
| Number of radiator plates | 30 |
| Maximum noise | 24.4 dB |
| Base material | Aluminum |
| Dissipated power | Up to 190 W |
| Radiator material | Aluminum |
| Base treatment | Copper coating, polishing (ability to apply any thermal paste) |
| Number of heat pipes | 5 |
| Pipe diameter | 6 mm |
| Fan size | 120x120x25 mm |
| Compatibility with third-party fans | Yes |
| Fan power consumption | 12 Volts |
| Fan speed | Maximum 1600 RPM (automatic regulation) |
| Power consumption | 2.4 W at maximum speed |
| Cable length | 220 mm |
| Declared fan lifespan | 80,000 hours |
| Sockets | AMD AM3(+), AM4, Intel LGA115x, LGA20xx, and LGA1200 |
| Thermal paste included | Yes, branded, single-use tube |
| Mounting brackets for sockets | Yes, full kit, includes screwdriver |
| Manufacturer warranty | 3 years |
| Suggested price | 50 Euros |
Thoughts Aloud
It is worth noting that at CES 2020, the German manufacturer announced the use of the Shadow Wings 2 fan model, which is built with sleeve bearings with screw threading. However, this information is not listed on the company’s official website. This seems suspicious. But throughout the operation of Be quiet! products, users have had no complaints. So, let’s attribute this to a website administrator oversight.
Regarding the Shadow Rock 3 cooler itself – it is a continuation of the famous Shadow Rock 2 cooling system line. Finally, the manufacturer decided to bring the heat pipes into contact with the CPU contact surface. Previously, a nickel-plated base was used. This solution allows for more effective heat dissipation. Also, the number of heat pipes was increased (by 1) and the diameter was reduced (from 8 to 6 mm). However, the number of plates was significantly reduced from 51 to 30. This change can only be explained by a desire to fit the cooler into micro-ATX cases. Hopefully, the declared heat dissipation characteristics will match reality.
Overall, the cooling system looks attractive. In terms of price, noise-to-heat dissipation ratio, Be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 easily competes with all well-known brands. Among the closest competitors is the Noctua NH-U9S. But these coolers cannot really be compared, as Noctua’s brand offers a longer fan lifespan (150,000 hours MTBF). We look forward to a full review of the Shadow Rock 3 or the release of new coolers from competitors. Taking this opportunity, we want to share recommendations on choosing a power supply unit and a computer case, which 99.99% of users simply ignore. And that’s a mistake!
